Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
No. 324.]
Legation of the United States,
Brussels,
December 19, 1860.
Sir: The inauguration of King Leopold II took
place on the 17th instant, in the house of representatives, before the
senate and house assembled, in presence of the Queen and royal family,
the foreign princes (with the exception of those of the Orleans family)
present at the funeral of the late King, the missions extraordinary, the
diplomatic corps, judiciary, &c.
His Majesty entered the city from Laeken, and passed through the thronged
streets on horseback, and was received with the greatest enthusiasm. At
half past twelve he entered the house of representatives, and proceeded
to the throne, where he repeated, standing, with outstretched hand, the
oath prescribed by the constitution: “I swear to observe the
constitution and the laws of the Belgian people, to maintain the
national independence and the integrity of the territory.” He then
delivered the speech, of which I annex a copy from the Moniteur, and
also translation, with indications of those parts which excited the most
enthusiasm.
He then proceeded to the palace, where he reviewed the troops, which,
with the people, vied with each other in manifestations of loyalty.
In the evening his Majesty, with the Queen, received the diplomatic
corps. In reply to his remark to me that my feelings also must have been
deeply moved by the death of his father, I took occasion to say that
this feeling of sorrow was not personal to myself alone. I was persuaded
it would be shared as well by my government and people, by whom the late
King was held in almost affectionate regard.
The senate and house of representatives were received after the
diplomatic corps, and I enclose from the Moniteur the addresses
presented to him by those bodies, through their respective presidents,
and his replies, and also the account of his entry into the city, the
addresses of the municipality, and his answers. All of these addresses
are full of loyalty and patriotic sentiment. The addresses which are
pouring in to his Majesty from every commune of the kingdom have the
same character. Even the city of Antwerp has joined in these
demonstrations of sorrow for the late King, “wishing only to remember
the benefits he has conferred upon it,” as the address reads, and of
loyalty for his successor.
The King cannot but be satisfied with the commencement of his reigu. All
parties join in welcoming him, and pledging him their support.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Translation of the speech from the
throne.
“Gentlemen: Belgium has, like myself, lost
a father. The unanimous homage which the nation renders to his
memory worthily responds to the sentiments which he cherished
towards it during his life.
[Page 58]
“I am equally moved and grateful. Europe herself has not remained
indifferent to this affliction. Foreign sovereigns and princes have
wished to take part in the last honors which we render to him whom
they placed so high in their confidence and friendship. I thank them
for myself and for Belgium. [His majesty rose as he pronounced these
words and saluted the foreign princes, who, from the Queen’s
gallery, responded by bowing respectfully, amid the cheers of the
assembly.]
“On this day, succeeding to a father so honored during his life and
so regretted after his death, my first engagement before the
representatives or the nation is to religiously follow the precepts
and examples which his wisdom has left me, and never to forget the
duties imposed on me by this precious inheritance. [Loud cheers.] If
I do not promise to Belgium either a great reign like that which
founded her independence, or a great king like him whom we mourn, I
at least promise her a king Belgian in heart and soul, whose whole
life belongs to her. [At this moment cheers and enthusiastic cries
of ‘Vive le roi!’ burst forth from all the benches and the
galleries. The senators and deputies waved their hats in the
air.]
“The first King of the Belgians to which Belgium has given birth, I
have from my childhood shared all the patriotic emotions of my
country. Like her, I have watched with happiness the national
development which has fecundated in her bosom all the sources of
strength and prosperity. Like her, I love those grand institutions
which guarantee at the same time order and liberty, and are the most
solid foundation of the throne. [Loud cheers.]
“In my thoughts the future of Belgium has always been blended with my
own, and I have always regarded it with the confidence inspired by
the right of a free, honest, and brave nation, which wills its
independence, which has won it, proved itself worthy of it, and will
know how to preserve it. [The King rose to pronounce these words,
which, strongly emphasized and delivered with dignity, produced a
great effect on the assembly and the public. With a unanimous
movement the members of the Chamber and the Senate rose
simultaneously with the King, as if more visibly to show that they
shared his sentiments. In the public galleries the gentlemen waved
their hats and the ladies their handkerchiefs. The scene was
exceedingly striking.]
“I have not forgotten, gentlemen, the marks of kind feeling which I
received on attaining my majority, when I came to take part in your
legislative labors, and, some months later, on the occasion of my
marriage with a princess who shares all my sentiments for the
country and instils them into our children. [Loud cheers and cries
of ‘Vive la Reine.’]
“I have been gratified to recognize in these spontaneous
manifestations the unanimous accord of the populations. On my part,
I have never made any distinctions between Belgians; all are devoted
to their country, and I comprise them in one common affection.
“My constitutional mission places me apart from the struggle of
opinions. Leaving the country itself to decide them, [cheers,] I
ardently desire that their differences may always be tempered by
that spirit of national fraternity which unites, at this moment,
round the same flag all the children of the Belgian family.
[Applause]
“Gentlemen, within the last thirty-five years Belgium has witnessed
the accomplishment of things which, in a country of the size of
ours, have rarely been realized in a single generation; but the
edifice of which the congress laid the foundations may rise, and
will rise, higher still. My sympathetic co-operation is assured to
all who shall devote to this work their intellect and efforts.
[Renewed applause.]
“By persisting in this course of activity and wise progress, Belgium
will more and more consolidate her institutions at home, and will
preserve abroad that esteem which the powers guaranteeing her
independence, and other foreign states, have always accorded her,
and have again this day so kindly testified. On ascending the
throne, my father said to the Belgians: ‘My heart knows of no other
ambition than that of seeing you happy.’ These words, which his
whole reign has justified, I do not fear to repeat in my own name.
[Prolonged cheers.]
“Providence has vouchsafed to hear the wish they expressed. May He
hear it again this day, render me the worthy successor of my father,
and, I pray from my inmost soul, continue to protect our dear
Belgium.”
Loud and long-continued acclamations followed this address, which
were repeated with increased enthusiasm when the Queen presented her
son, the young count of Hainault. Their Majesties then withdrew.
