Office of the Historian

Mr. Newel to Mr. Day.

Legation of the United States,
The Hague, August 30, 1898.
No. 151.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith in duplicate, together with a translation of the same, a proclamation this day issued by Her Majesty the Queen Regent resigning the Regency of the Kingdom.

I have, etc.,

Stanford Newel.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Proclamation of Her Majesty the Queen Dowager Regent of the Kingdom.

In the name of Her Majesty, Wilhelmina, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, etc. We, Emma, Queen Dowager, Regent of the Kingdom.

Fellow-Citizens: The task which was intrusted to me in 1890 will soon be ended. To me falls the inestimable privilege of seeing my much loved daughter attain the age at which she, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution is called upon to govern. In days of grief and bereavement I entered upon the Regency of the Kingdom, now the whole nation is gathered rejoicing around the throne of its youthful Queen. God has been my preserver throughout these years, my fondest wish is realized.

To all who by word and deed have assisted me and by their love and attachment have supported me, I tender my thanks.

May our country and its possessions prosper under the reign of Queen Wilhelmina.

I resign the high position which I have held in the State with the sincere wish that God’s blessing may rest on a Queen and people united by the closest bonds.

Issued at the Hague, this 30th day of August, 1898.

  • EMMA.
  • W. H. de Beaufort,
    The Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • Cort v. d. Linden,
    The Minister of Justice.
  • H. Gosman Borgesius,
    The Minister of the Interior.
  • Roell,
    The Minister of Marine.
  • Pierson,
    The Minister of Finance.
  • Eland,
    The Minister of War.
  • C. Lely,
    The Minister of Waterstaat, Trade, etc.
  • Cremer,
    The Minister of Colonies.