Once more the obstinacy of King William proved an insuperable obstacle to a settlement.  He had expected better results from the Ten Days’ Campaign, and he emphatically denied the right of the Conference to interfere with the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, as this was not a Belgian question, but concerned only the House of Nassau and the Germanic Confederation.  He also objected to the proposed regulations regarding the navigation of the river Scheldt, and refused to evacuate Antwerp or other places occupied by Dutch troops.  He was aware that Great Britain and France had taken the leading part in drawing up the treaty, but he relied for support upon his close family relations with Prussia and Russia[14], with whom Austria acted.  But, although these Powers bore him good will, they had no intention of encouraging his resistance.  Their object in delaying their ratification of the treaty was to afford time to bring good advice to bear upon the unbending temper of the Dutch king.  The Tsar even sent Count Alexis Orloff on a special mission to the Hague, with instructions to act with the Prussian and Austrian envoys in urging William to take a reasonable course.  All their efforts ended in failure.

During the first nine months of the year 1832 a vigorous exchange of notes took place between London and the Hague; and the Conference did its utmost to effect an accommodation.  At last patience was exhausted, and the Powers had to threaten coercion.  The three eastern Powers declined indeed to take any active share in coercive measures, but were willing that Great Britain and France should be their delegates.  Palmerston and Talleyrand, however, were determined that the King of Holland should no longer continue to defy the will of the European Great Powers; and on October 22 the English and French governments concluded a Convention for joint action.  Notice was given to King William (November 2) that he must withdraw his troops before November 13 from all places assigned to Belgium by the Treaty of the XXIV Articles.  If he refused, the Dutch ports would be blockaded and an embargo placed upon Dutch ships in the allies’ harbours.  Further, if on November 13 any Dutch garrisons remained on Belgian soil, they would be expelled by armed force.  William at once (November 2) replied to the notice by a flat refusal.  In so acting he had behind him the practically unanimous support of Dutch public opinion.  The allies took prompt measures.  An Anglo-French squadron set sail (November 7) to blockade the Dutch ports and the mouth of the Scheldt; and in response to an appeal from the Belgian government (as was required by the terms of the Convention) a French army of 60,000 men under Marshal Gerard crossed the Belgian frontier (November 15) and laid siege to the Antwerp citadel, held by a garrison of 5000 men commanded by General Chasse.  The siege began on November 20, and it was not until December 22 that Chasse, after a most gallant defence, was compelled to capitulate.