[26] On the first out-break of the revolution, the people of Antwerp, strongly opposed to it, sent the following address to the King of Holland. “Sire, it is not without painful sensations that we have been apprised of the demand made to your Majesty, tending to obtain a separation of interests between the southern and northern provinces. The fear that our silence may be interpreted as an adhesion to this proposition, imposes upon us the duty of exposing to your Majesty, that the wish is in no way participated in by us. The experience of fifteen years has proved to us, in the most evident manner, that is to the free and mutual exchange of produce, that we are indebted for reciprocal prosperity. _The advantages that navigation derives from the colonies, the increasing outlets that these same colonies constantly offer to the produce of our industry, are irrefragible proofs, that any separation would not only be fatal to this province, but to the commercial industry of all Belgium._ Intimately persuaded of this great truth, we dare to make it known to your Majesty, with that confidence and respect inspired by a King, who desires the welfare of his people, and who will never labour but in the interest of its well understood prosperity.”--_Antwerp, September _13_th, 1830. [27] De l’Industrie en Belgique, vol. 2, p. 384. [28] _Exposé de la situation de la Province de la Flandre Orientale, pour l’année 1840. Ghent de l’imprimerie de Vanryckegem-Hovaerz, imprimeur du Governement Provincial._ The numbers are as follows: Two whose deficiency is between 1,000 ff. and 2,000. Four ” ” 2,000 ” 3,000. One ” ” 3,000 ” 4,000. One ” ” 6,000 ” 7,000. Two ” ” 7,000 ” 8,000. One ” ” 14,000 ” 15,000. One ” ” 19,000 ” 20,000. One ” ” 20,000 ” 25,000. Three ” ” 25,000 ” 30,000. One ” ” 35,000 ” 40,000. Two ” ” unknown [29] Le Guide Indispensable, p. 103. [30] 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: