Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Newel to Mr. Day.

Legation of the United States,
The Hague, September 13, 1898.

No. 156.]

Sir: I have the honor to state that the inauguration of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina took place in Amsterdam on the 6th of September, 1898.

On the 5th of September, Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by the Queen-Mother, and attended by four Dutch Indian princes, a full court suite, a guard of honor composed of representatives from all the elite families of the city of Amsterdam and the province of N. Holland, and further by detachments of troops selected from all branches of the army and navy, made her public entry into Amsterdam.

The town was en fete, the streets being gaily decorated, and throngs of people enthusiastically greeted Her Majesty en route from the railway station to the palace.

The inauguration ceremony, which took place at 11 o’clock a.m., in the Nieuwe Kerk, an imposing edifice adjacent to the palace, was of very impressive character. The United First and Second Chambers of the States-General had been summoned to a special and extraordinary session in the church, and all were present except the three socialist members. In addition thereto there were present the immediate royal relatives of the sovereign, the whole of the diplomatic corps, the cabinet ministers, the chief officials from the Government departments, the judges, the principal army and navy officers, all those who had in any way assisted in the education of Her Majesty, a very large representation of the elite of the country, and a very numerous body of representatives of the press. The building was crowded with a splendidly dressed audience, space being left for only 50 of the public, who, in order to secure admission, took their stand before 6 o’clock a.m.

The Queen, attended by her court in full state, proceeded on foot from the palace to the church, and, just in front of the Queen-Mother, who stood awaiting her, took up her position on a throne specially placed for this occasion on a dais, around which were gathered the royalty, the diplomatic corps, and the Government representatives.

In a clear, distinct, and most touching manner the young Queen pronounced the speech from the throne—a copy of which is herewith transmitted in duplicate, together with translation—and then raising her right hand pronounced the oath prescribed by the constitution.

The speech was heard with rapt attention, and at its close the heralds proclaimed Her Majesty Queen, and there followed hearty cheering from all parts of the building, the acclamation being taken up immediately after by the crowd outside the building.

Subsequently each member of the States-General in turn took the oath of allegiance, which done, Her Majesty left the church in the same manner that she had come, amidst renewed cheering, the ringing of bells, and firing of cannon.

In Amsterdam, from the 6th till the 9th, there was a rapid succession of festivities, at most of which Her Majesty with a full suite attended, engrossing the general attention.

On the 9th instant the Queen made her public entry into The Hague, and between that date and to-day, the 13th instant, there has been a repetition of the festivities of last week in Amsterdam, The Hague vying with the capital in doing their Queen honor.

On the 15th instant there will be a grand naval review at the mouth of the river Maas; the ordinary session—1898–99—of the States-General will be opened on the 20th instant; and on the 22d a review of the troops and a military display will take place on the eastern side of the country, and at all these events Her Majesty will appear.

I have, etc.,

Stanford Newel.

[Inclosure in No. 156—Translation.]

Gentlemen, Members of the States-General: In early life, by reason of the decease of my never-to-be-forgotten father, God called me to the throne which I ascended under the wise and beneficent regency of my dearly loved mother.

On the completion of my eighteenth year I assumed the sovereignty, as my proclamation has announced to my loved people.

The hour has now arrived at which I, in the midst of my loyal States-General, invoking God’s holy name, bind myself to the Dutch nation to maintain its precious rights and liberty.

I therefore confirm this day the firm bond existing between myself and my people, and the ancient tie between the Netherlands and the House of Orange is sealed anew.

My calling is a high one, the task a grand one which God has laid upon my shoulders. I am happy and thankful that it is my lot to govern the people of the Netherlands—a people small in numbers, but great in virtue, mighty both by nature and character.

I deem it a great privilege that it is my life’s task and duty to dedicate all my powers to the welfare and prosperity of my loved fatherland. I adopt the words of my loved father as my own:

“The House of Orange can never, never do enough for the Netherlands.”

In the accomplishment of my task I shall need your help and cooperation, gentlemen, members of the House of Representatives. I am convinced that you will accord it me in full measure.

Let us work together for the happiness and prosperity of the Netherlands people. Let that be the main object in life of us all.

May God bless your work and mine, that it may tend to the good of our Sutherland.

I swear to the Netherlands people that I will ever guard and maintain the constitution. I swear that I will defend and preserve the independence and territory of the Kingdom with all my power; that I will protect the general and private liberty and rights of my subjects, and will adopt all lawful means at my disposal to the preservation and promotion of the welfare of the general public and the private individual, as becomes a good sovereign.

“So help me God Almighty.”