of the throne, returned thanks in a speech highly complimentary to his Imperial Brother, in which he condescended to accept the Crown of Holland, and promised to answer the expectation which his Majesty conceived of his fidelity to execute his Imperial will.

PARIS, June 6.

This day at noon, his Serene Highness the Prince Arch-Chancellor of the Empire repaired to the Senate, which was convoked and assembled under his Presidency, and made the following speech:

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GENTLEMEN,I come, by order of his Majesty the Emperor and King, to communicate to you the different arrangements, which will afford the Senate, at the same time, a fresh oppor tunity to applaud the great and gene rous views of our Sovereign, and an authentic proof of that respectful confidence placed by all our neighbours in the imperial Family...

"After many successive changes in the form of their Government, the people of Holland, so considerate in all their steps, so constant in their resolutions, endeavour to fix their destinies under the shield of a Throne, and have chosen for their first King, his Imperial Highness Prince Louis Napoleon.

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His Majesty the Emperor and King consents, that his august Brother should comply with the wishes of the Dutch nation; and when, for the pub lic good, he sacrifices his dearest affec tions, he deserves some compensation to himself, and to the French nation, by continuing to his Highness, the dignity of Constable, and confiding to him the guard of the northern frontier of the Empire."

"1. That from the prevailing turn of mind, and the actual organization of Europe, a government without solidity and certain duration cannot fulfil the objects for which it is instituted:

2. That the periodical renewal of the head of the State would always be a source of dissension in Holland, and a constant subject of agitation and disagreement among the powers friendly or inimical to Holland:

66 3. That hereditary Government all which is dear to the Dutch people, can alone secure the quiet possession of the free exercise of their religion, the preservation of their laws, their political independence, and civil liberty:

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"4. That its first duty is to secure to itself a powerful protection, under the shelter of which it may freely exercise its industry, and maintain itself in the possession of its territory, its commerce and its colonies:

5. That France is essentially inte rested in the happiness of the Dutch people, in the prosperity of the State, in the permanence of its institutions, as well in consideration of the northern frontiers of the empire, open and unfortified, as from general political interests and principles:

"Have nominated for their Ministers Plenipotentiary, his Majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy,

"Charles Maurice Talleyrand, Great Chamberlain, Minister of Foreign Af fairs, Knight of the Great Order of the Legion of Honour, Knight of the Orders of the Red and Black Eagle of Prussia, and of the Order of St Hubert, &c.; and

"His Excellency the Grand Pensionary, C. H. Verheuil, Vice Admiral and Minister of the Marine of the Batavian Republic, having the Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour; T. T. A. Gogel Minister of Finances; J. Van Styrum, one of their High Mightinesses; W. Six, Member of the Council of State, and G. Brantzen, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Batavian Republic, having the Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour; who, after having mutually interchanged their respective full powers, have agreed as follows

"Art. 1. His Majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy, as well for himself as for his heirs and successors, for ever guarantees to Holland

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the maintenance of its constitutional rights, its independence, the whole of its possessions abroad and at home, its political, civil, and religious liberty, such as is ordained by the existing laws, and the abolition of all privileges with respect to taxes.

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2. Upon the formal request made by their High Mightinesses the Representatives of the Batavian Republic, that Prince Louis should be appointed and crowned Hereditary and Constitutional King of Holland, his Majesty has yielded to their wishes, and has authorised Prince Louis Napoleon to accept the Crown of Holland, to descend to him and his male heirs legitimate, to the perpetual exclusion of females and their descendants.

"In consequence of this permission, Prince Louis Napoleon will take the Crown, under the title of King, and with all the power and authority determined by the constitutional law, which the Emperor Napoleon has guaranteed by the preceding article.

66 3. It is nevertheless agreed, that the Crowns of France and Holland can never be united in the same persons.

"The Royal domain consists of "First, a Palace at the Hague, which is to be the residence of the Royal Family.

"Second, the House in the Wood. "Third, the Domain of Loesedic. "Fourth, a landed income of 500,000 Dutch florins.

"The law, besides, assures to the King a farther revenue of fifteen hundred thousand florins, payable by monthly instalments. (L.166,666 13 4 sterling.)

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4. In case of a minority, the regen. ay shall belong by right to the Queen, and in her default to the Emperor of the French, in his quality of perpetual Head of the Imperial Family. He shall chuse among the Princes of the Royal Family, and, in their default, among the natives. The minority of the King shall be completed with his 18th year.

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5. The dowry of the Queen shall be determined by her marriage contract. At present it is agreed to fix it at the annual sum of 25,000 florins, to be taken from the domains of the Crown; this sum being deducted, one half remaining of the revenues of the Crown shall be appropriated to the maintenance of the household of the minor King; the other half to go to the expences of the Regency.

6. The King of Holland shall be a Grand Dignitary of the Empire in perpetuity, under the title of Constable. The functions of this office, however, may, with consent of the Emperor of the French, be performed by a Prince, Vice-Constable; whenever the Emperor may think proper to create such a dignity.

"7. The members of the reigning family in Holland shall remain personally subject to the disposition of the Constitutional Statute of the 30th of March last, forming the law of the Imperial Family of France.

"8. The charges of the State, those belonging to the personal service of the King's household excepted, can only be conferred upon natives.

"9. The Arms of the King shall be the ancient Arms of Holland, quartered with the French Imperial Eagle, and mounted with the royal crown.

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10. A treaty of commerce shall be immediately concluded between the contracting parties, by virtue of which, the subjects of Holland shall at all times be treated as the most favoured nation, in the ports and upon the French territory. His Majesty the Emperor and King also engages to mediate with the Powers of Barbary, to obtain the respect due to the Dutch flag, equal to that of the French.

"The ratification of the present Treaty shall be exchanged at Paris within the space of six hours.

"C. M. TALLEYRAND. "CH. HENRY VERHEUIL, T.T.A.GOGEL, J. VAN STYRUM, W. SIX, & G.

BRANTZEN." Paris, May 24 1806. On the 7th of June, the two, Dutch Deputies Verheuil and Van Styrum left Paris for Holland, and arrived at the Hague on the 10th. The President Verheuil announced to the Council of State, and to the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, the special mission which had been entrusted to him by his Majesty King Louis, with a copy of the Treaty for the organization of the Batavian monarchy; and that his Majesty had appointed him, as interim Grand Pensionary, to exercise the executive power until his Majesty's arrival. On the 11th a Proclamation was issued at the Hague, announcing the acceptance of the royal dignity of Holland by Prince Louis, which was followed by several discharges of artillery.

SCOT

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HURSDAY May 27d the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met at Edinburgh. His Grace Francis Lord Napier, his Majesty's High Commissioner, attended by the Earls of Buchan, Haddington, Dalhousie, and Hopetoun, Lords Sinclair and Torphichen; Lieut. Gen: Fraser, and the whole North British Staff; Admiral Vashon, and a number of other Noblemen. and Gentlemen of distinction and Military Officers, walked in procession (a detachment of the Argyllshire Militia and New City Guard lining the streets) from his lodgings in the King's Arms Tavern, to the High Church, where he was received by the Ma gistrates in their robes, and an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr Hamilton, minister of Gladsmuir, Modera tor of the last Assembly, from Titus ii. 15. "Let no man despise thee."

After sermon, his Grace went to the Assembly Room, and the Members proceeded to chuse a Moderator, when the Rev. Dr Wm. Taylor, jun. of St Enoch's, Glasgow, was unanimously elected. His Grace's commission, and his Majesty's letter and warrant for 1000l. for propagating the Protestant Religion in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, being read, as usual, the Assembly was opened by an elegant speech from the Throne, to which a suitable reply was made by the Moderator.

An address to his Majesty was then moved by Dr Hamilton, and seconded by Dr Hunter, and a Committee was appointed to prepare it, and an answer to his Majesty's letter.

Dr Grieve presented a letter from the Hon. Lord Robertson to the Assembly, informing them that his Majesty having been graciously pleased to call him to a seat on the Bench, he resigned into their hands the office of Procurator for the Church, which he had held for twenty-eight years, Dr. Grieve then moved, that a Committee be appointed to wait on Lord Robertson, to return him thanks for his long, faithful, and able services to the Church, and for his polite attention to the interest of every clergyman who applied for advice to him. -The motion was unanimously agreed to. Principal Hill, after a speech of considerable length, in which he entered into a history of the election of the last three Procurators, moved, That, as the office was June 1806.

vacant, the Assembly should immediately proceed to elect a Procurator.

A debate of some length took place. It was contended on the one hand, That it was too precipitate and indecorous to proeeed immediately to the election: That some days should intervene, in order to give time to revise the commissions, many of which, it was believed, were informal, and consequently the votes given in virtue of such commissions would fall to be rejected: That if the person elected should, after a scrutiny, be found not duly chosen, it was placing him in a very disagreeable situation: That no harm could result from the delay, but much evil might be occasioned by precipitancy. These and other reasons were ably urged by Principal Brown, Solicitor-General Clerk, Mr Johnstone of Crossmichael, Mr Adam Gillies, Mr Malcolm Laing, &c.

It was answered, That the delay contended for was improper, as the Procurator, in virtue of his office, had not only to be consulted about the affairs of the Church, but had even to be consulted on some applications for aid, that would probably have to come before the present Assembly, and that it was an office which ought immediately to be filled up: That as a scrutiny would be granted, no harm could result to either candidate, although the validity of the commissions were not previously ascer tained: That it was the firm belief of those who would vote for one of the candidates to be proposed, thathis majority would be so great, that there was no fear of his being under the necessity to relinquish his situation by his votes being improper: That as there was so full an attendance, it was then most proper to proceed. Several other arguments to the same purpose were insisted on by Principal Hill, Dr Grieve, Mr Nicol, &c. It was at length agreed, without a vote, to proceed to the election, both parties being allowed a scrutiny.

Dr Grieve,after a short speech, proposed John Connell, Esq. advocate, for Procurator-Principal Taylor of Glasgowseconded the motion. Dr Hunter proposed James Moncrieffe, Esq. advocate for that office -He was seconded by Principal Brown of Aberdeen. The roll was then called, when there appeared for Mr Connell 260-Mr Moncrieffe 54-Majority 206. Mr Connell was then duly elected, and, after

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short address of thanks, took the oaths, and his seat at the table. The number of Members who voted were 314, being the greatest number ever present since the institution of this Supreme Court. The Assembly t -room was quite full of spectators, and many were disappointed for want of room.

A Committee of the Assembly met again at eight in the evening, to revise commissions, when an objection to those unstamped was brought forward, by Adam Gillies, Esq. advocate, who was followed on the same side by Malcolm Laing, Esq. advocate, and Solicitor-General Clerk. The objec. tion was answered by David Boyle, Robert Hamilton, Archibald Campbell, Esqrs. advocates, Mr John Peat, writer, Archibald Colquhoun, Esq. advocate, &c. The debate lasted till twelve o'clock at night, when the Committee agreed to report an opinion, that the objection was futile, and ought to be repelled.

Friday the following Gentlemen were appointed to preach before his Grace the Commissioner: -the Rev. Mr Simmie, at Rothiemay, on Sunday the 25th, in the forenoon; Mr Brewster at Craig, in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr Pollock, at Govan, on Sunday June 1st, in the forenoon; and the Rev. Mr M'Lauchlan, at Dundee, in the afternoon. But the last two gentlemen having declined, Mr Dick at Currie, and Mr Stirling at Dunblane, were substituted in their room.

On Saturday the draughts of the Address to the King, and of the answer to his Majesty's letter, were read and approved of, and his Grace the Commissioner, at the Assembly's request, was pleased to under. take to transmit them to his Majesty.

Mr Johnstone, on the part of Mr Moncrieff, after a handsome compliment to Mr Connell, the successful candidate for the Procuratorship, relinquished the proposed scrutiny.

Monday the 26th the Assembly had transmitted to them a Petition for the Rev. Dr Meek of Cambuslang, and Professor Jardine, Members of the Kirk Session of Cambuslang, appealing from sentences of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, relative to the votes of Elders, &c. in the parish of Cambuslang. The Assembly sus tained Mr John Dunlop's right to vote as an Elder in the Kirk Session of Cambus lang, who had objected to him, as being a non-resident, and that the sentences of the Presbytery of Hamilton, and Kirk Session of Cambuslang be Reversed, which was agreed to without a vote; and found that Mr Robertson, assistant and successor to Dr Meek, was not a constituent Member of the Kirk Session of Cambuslang, and had no right to vote.

From the great extent of the Presbytery, their meetings were held, sometimes at Dunkeld, and sometimes at Weem. In September, 1794, the Presbytery having convened at Weem, Mr Carmichael was there. duly licensed.

A subsequent meeting of the Presbytery held at Dunkeld, in October following, dissented from the judgement of the Presbytery at Weem, and remitted Mr Carmichael to his studies; but from this sentence no complaint was made, or appeal taken, so that Mr Carmichael enjoyed the full benefit of his licence.

In 1805, the Church of Kinloch, in the above Presbytery, having become vacant, Mr Carmichael obtained a presentation to it from the undoubted Patron, his Majesty. When Mr Carmichael gave in his presentation to the Presbytery in the month of October last, the respondents in this case, who are heritors, elders, and heads of families in the parish of Kinloch, exhibited a libel against him, charging him with adultery, accession to a simoniacal transaction, whereby the presentation was obtained, fraud, &c.

The Presbytery resolved to lead a proof of such of the articles of the libel as they found relevant. Mr Carmichael appealed to the Synod of Perth and Stirling. The Synod having affirmed the sentence of the Presbytery, Mr Carmichael appealed to the General Assembly.

Parties being heard, after a good deal of reasoning, the Assembly unanimously sustained the second, fourth, and sixth articles, and Simoniacal practices, and remitted the same to the Presbytery of Dunkeld, to be admitted to proof.

The Assembly found the fifth article, relative to altering the accounts of the late Col. Campbell of Achalader, and others, too vague as laid; but remitted it to the Presbytery, with instructions to allow the libel

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lers, if they shall see cause, to give in a second condescendence.

The Assembly unanimously affirmed the sentence of the Synod, sustaining the second article of the charge, and quo ad ultra, re. versed the sentence of the Synod, in so far as it found that part of the fifth article relevant, which relates to others, and dismissed the same.

Wednesday May 28th the Assembly con sidered the overture on the subject of the property tax, and unanimously agreed to remit to a Committee, with instructions to to lay before the Officers of State what is therein set forth, on the claim of the Clergy of the Church of Scotland to an exemption from the property tax, and to report to next Assembly.

The Assembly then considered a reference to them by the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, respecting a difference between the minister and schoolmaster of Dalmeny, regarding the legality of the latter's election to the above office. The Assembly, after a short debate, unanimously sustained the reference; but, in respect it was a question of a civil nature, remit to the Presbytery of Linlithgow, with instructions to find, that the question of right was, in the first instance, incompetently brought before them as a Church Court; referring to Mr Greig, the minister, and those interested, to proceed against Mr Cooper, the schoolmaster, in a Civil Court, as he ,shall be advised.

The Assembly afterwards proceeded to consider the overtures anent irregular marriages, and unanimously agreed to instruct the Procurator and Agent for the Church, to lay these overtures before the Lord Advocate of Scotland, for his advice and direction; and to report to the next Assembly,

The Assembly thereafter proceeded to take under consideration, overtures from the Synods of Aberdeen and Angus, proposing a recommendation to the trustees of the Widows Fund, to take measures for raising the interest payable on their bonds, from four one-half to five per cent. Mr Nicol, member of the Synod of Angus, in support of these overtures, argued, that the recommendation ought to be given, because it was evident, that the legal interest could be obtained at present, on the first security in the kingdom; because, even in the time of peace, there was every probability of the same interest being procured, from the peculiar advantages which the Fund holds forth to the borrower, who knows that the money will remain with him as long as he requires it, and who is thus saved the trouble and expence of writing new securities; and because, if this should not be the case,

still the Fund would, at any after period, when a reduction of interest might be necessary, be no worse than it was now, and in the mean while, the widows would have been receiving annually an addition of five hundred pounds. After stating these reasons for supporting the overtures, so far as they went, Mr Nicol made some observations with respect to the subject in general. The Fund, he said, had been instituted in 1743, when an annuity of twenty-five pounds had been assigned to widows of the first class; that class would now receive at an average about thirty-four pounds, without any possibility of an increase; and twenty-five pounds in 1743, he contended, was a sum which would go as far then as three times, the amount would do at the present period; so that if the expence of living should increase as much during the next thirty years as it had done for thirty years past, the situation of widows and families of Clergymen, who depended solely on the Fund, would exhibit a scene of penury which it was painful to think of, The only remedy for this growing evil, Mr Nicol stated to be the establishing of a Sinking Fund, to answer the exigencies of future years, and proceeded to throw out several suggestions as to the manner of procuring such a Fund; he mentioned particularly a subscription among the contributors, from which he had great expectations. The present was a measure in which the Church would cordially unite, and the efforts of its members would be creditable to their feelings as men, and highly for the respectability of their order as clergymen. They had of late years been called upon to subscribe on various occasions, and he was confident no man would grudge, once in his life, to contribute liberally in a case such as the present, which must so strongly in terest his humanity, his natural affection, and his professional feelings.

Another measure which he would suggest, was a small addition to the annual rates, to the extent of 10 per cent. upon the present rates, which would be to contributtors of the first class, about 138. to those of the second class, ros. 6d. and to the third about &s. This, he thought, would not be very sensibly felt by the Church, and it would yield Five Hundred Pounds yearly to be applied to the purposes of the Sinking Fund. This Fund, he suggested, should be allowed to accumulate for 14 years, when the contributors might apply a certain part of it towards increasing the annuities. Hav ing made these general observations, and earnestly requested that the contributors, would revolve the subject in their minds, so as that it might be regularly taken up

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some future occasion he moved that

the