ment had retired from Berne to Lausanne, the partizans of the ancient, federative system of the Swiss cantons, who established immediately in the former city a provisional government, deputed a confidential to Paris, for the purpose of counteracting the measures of M. Stapfer, and of engaging the first consul to suffer the inhabitants of Switzerland to settle their affairs amongst themselves. He was instructed in any emergency to address himself to the ministers here of the principal powers of Europe, and to solicit their interference and assistance in the objects of his mission. He reached Paris four days ago, and had reason to flatter himself, from the result of an interview which he had immediately with M. Talleyrand, that the first consul would put no obstacle in the way of any arrangement which the Swiss might agree upon among themselves for the final settlement of their government; he was therefore much surprised to learn, soon afterwards, that a change had taken place in the first consul's sentiments, and his astonishment was completed when he found that the latter had taken so decided and so unfavourable a part in the business as that which is announced by a resolution published in yesterday's Moniteur, (which I have the honour to transmit enclosed,) in the form of an address to the inhabitants of Switzerland. This person having, besides this public declaration, acquired some private information of its being the first consul's intention to give the most immediate and vigorous effect to it, lost no time in addressing a letter to the latter, in which he took the liberty of stating that he must have been deceived by false representations, that his interference in

3

the affairs of Switzerland was, as he was authorised to say, entirely unsolicited by the majority and the best thinking part of the inhabitants, and that he had therefore to entreat of him, in the most earnest manner, to suspend the execution of his resolution until those explanations could take place which he trusted might be the means of preventing the immense effusion of blood which would otherwise inevitably ensue. He at the same time addressed himself, in the course of yesterday, to me, as well as to the Austrian and Spanish ambassadors, and to the Russian and Prussian ministers, (not having gained admittance to M. de Cobenzel, nor to M. de Markoff or Lucchesini, he afterwards wrote to them,) soliciting, in the strongest terms, an interference (jointly, if possible) on their part, with the French government, to endeavour to avert the impending evil. I naturally observed to him, in answer, that the present state of political relations between the great powers of Europe afforded no prospect of his obtaining of their ministers at Paris to adopt a concerted measure in favour of the object which he had so much at heart, and that of course I could not take it individually upon myself, without any express instruction from my government. He returned to me, today, to acquaint me that he was not only as yet without a reply from any quarter, but had reason to fear that his prayers would not be listened to by the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian ministers; he therefore conjured me to transmit them to his majesty's government, from whom only his countrymen could have a hope of deriving any assistance in the terrible conflict which he knew they were determined to stand, and which would

only

only cease by the extermination of every virtuous and brave man in the country. He then put into my hand a note, which he had drawn up in a hurry, and of which I enclose a copy. Whilst, my lord, it was out of my power to give him any encouragement to expect from his majesty's government the assistance which his petition expresses, I have thought it my duty to lose no time in making you acquainted with a state of things which may shortly be attended with very important consequences.

Note referred to in No. 16.

So long as Switzerland was occupied by the French armies, the wishes of the people could never be freely manifested. The petty revolutions which took place in the go. vernment were the mere tricks of certain factions, in which the nation at large took but a very trifling interest. Scarcely did Switzerland think herself independent when she was desirous of returning to her ancient institutions, rendered still dear er to her by her late misfortunes, and the arbitrary acts of the govern ment furnished her, with the means of doing so. Almost the whole of Switzerland, with unexampled unanimity and moderation, shook off the yoke. The cantons formed themselves into constituent bodies, and twelve of the thirteen cantons of Switzerland sent their representatives to the diet of Schwitz, in order there to organize a central power which might be acceptable to the neighbouring powers.

The aristocratical cantons renounced their exclusive rights; the Pays de Vaud was left at liberty to form its own constitution, as well as Thurgovia and the other new cantons.

The government having taken réfuge at Lausanne, was by no means secure there, notwithstanding its regular troops; perhaps even at the present moment it no longer exists.

Who would not have thought that, according to the stipulation of the treaty of Luneville, which grants independence to Switzerland and the right of choosing its own government, every thing was settled, and that this nation might see its former happiness and tranquillity revive?

Who could have thought that the first consul would have issued such a decree as that of the 8th Vendemiaire ?

Is an independent nation to be thus treated? Should Bonaparte persist in his determination, and the other powers should not interpose in our favour, it only remains for us either to bury ourselves in the ruins of our houses, although with. out hope of resistance, exhausted as we are by the Colossus who is about to overwhelm us, or to debase ourselves in the eyes of the whole universe!

Will the government of this ge nerous nation, which has at all times afforded so many proofs of the interest it takes in the welfare of the Swiss, do nothing for us under circumstances which are to decide whether we are still to be ranked amongst free people?

We have only men left us :-the revolution, and spoliations without end, have exhausted our means; we are without arms, without ammunition, without stores, and without money to purchase them.

No. 17.

Note from Lord Hawkesbury to M. Otto, dated October 10, 1802. Lord Hawkesbury has received

his majesty's commands to communicate, through M. Otto, to the French government, the sentiments of deep regret which have been excited in his majesty's mind by the address of the first consul to the Helvetic people, which was pub lished by authority, in the Moniteur of the 1st instant, and by the representations which have been made to his majesty on this subject, on behalf of the nation whose interests are so immediately affected by it. His majesty most sincerely laments the convulsions to which the Swiss cantons have for some time past been exposed; but he can consider their late exertions in no other light than as the lawful efforts of a brave and generous people to recover their ancient laws and government, and to procure the re-establishment of a system which experience has demonstrated not only to be favourable to the maintenance of their domestic happiness, but to be perfectly consistent with the tranquillity and security of other powers.

The cantons of Switzerland unquestionably possess, in the same deevery other independent state, the right of regulating their own internal concerns; and this right has moreover, in the present instance, been formally and expli citly guaranteed to the Swiss nation by the French government, in the treaty of Luneville, conjointly with the other powers who were parties to that engagement. His majesty has no other desire than that the people of Switzerland, who now appear to be so generally united, should be left at liberty to settle their own internal government without the interposition of any foreign powers; and with whatever regret his majesty may have perused the late proVOL. XLV.

clamation of the French government, he is yet unwilling to believe that they will farther attempt to control that independent nation in the exercise of their undoubted rights. His majesty thinks himself called upon by his regard for the general interests of Europe, and by his peculiar solicitude for the happiness and welfare of the Swiss nation, to express these his sentiments with a frankness and sincerity which he feels to be due to his character, and to the good understanding which he is desirous of preserving with the government of France.

Downing Street, Oct. 10, 1802. M. Otto, &c. &c. &c.

No. 18.

Dispatch from Lord Hawkesbury to Mr. Moore, dated October 10,

1802.

Sir,

His majesty having deemed it expedient, that a confidential person should be sent, at the present moment, to Switzerland, in consequence of the communication which he has received from the Swiss confederacy, through their representative at Paris, I am commanded to inform you that he has made choice of you for that purpose.

It is of the utmost consequence, considering the nature of the business with which you are entrusted, that you should lose no time in taking your departure from hence, and that you should make every practicable exertion to arrive on the frontiers of Switzerland with as little delay as possible. You will inform yourself there what is the actual residence of the government of the Swiss confederation, to which you will immediately repair. Having taken the proper means to obtain a X x confidential

sons who may be entrusted with the principal direction of affairs, you will communicate to them a copy of the note verbale which I delivered to M. Otto, and which is herewith inclosed; and you will take every opportunity of impressing upon their minds the deep interest which his majesty takes in the success of their exertions. You will state to them, that his majesty entertains hopes that his representation to the French government may have the effect of inducing the first consul to abandon his intention of compelling the Swiss nation by force to renounce that system of government under which they had so long prospered, and to which they appear to be almost unanimously anxious to return. In

this event his majesty will feel himself bound to abstain from all interference on his part; it being his earnest desire that the Swiss nation should be left at liberty to regulate their own internal concerns, without the interposition of any foreign power. If, however, contrary to his majesty's expectations, the French government should persist in the system of coercion announced in the proclamation of the first consul, inserted in the Moniteur of the 1st instant, you will, in that case, inform yourself, by every means in your power, of the disposition of the people at large of the Swiss confederacy, and particularly of those who have the direction of their affairs, and of those who possess the greatest share of influence amongst them, to persevere in the defence of their rights, and in the maintenance of the system they have adopt. ed. You will likewise enquire into the means of defence of which they may be possessed, and of the pro

success. You will on no account encourage them to persevere in active measures of resistance which they are not themselves desirous to adopt, or which they may believe are unlikely to be ultimately effectual. If, however, you should find that the people of the Swiss confederacy are generally determined to persevere in the maintenance of their independence, and of their right to return to their ancient system of go. vernment: and if you should be of opinion that, from the union that subsists amongst the people, and from their zeal and enthusiasm in the cause in which they are engaged, they are finally resolved, at all hazards, to resist the threatened attempt of the French government to interpose, by force of arms, in the settlement of their internal concerns; you will then immediately communicate, in confidence, to the Swiss government, that, either in the event of a French army having entered the country, or in the event of your having reason to be convinced that a French army is actually advancing for that purpose, his majesty has authorised you to accede to their application for pecuniary succours.

I have furnished you with a cypher and decypher, that you may have it in your power to correspond with his majesty's ministers at Vienna and Munich, if you should think it advisable; and as it is highly probable that the armies of the Swiss confederacy may be inadequately supplied with arms, ammunition, or provisions, and may be desirous of procuring supplies thereof from the neighbouring countries, you will use your utmost endeavours to give them every facility for this purpose. You will be very particular in in.

forming

forming me of the numbers and situation of any Austrian corps in the neighbourhood of Switzerland, and of the probability of their advancing in any event into the Swiss territory.

As it is of great importance that his majesty's government should be regularly informed of the events which may be passing in Switzerland, and of the dispositions that may prevail there, you will endeavour to ascertain the most safe and expeditious mode of conveying your letters which will avoid their passing through any part of the French republic.

As it is possible that, previous to your arrival in Switzerland, the present state of affairs may have undergone a decided alteration, either in consequence of the submission of the Swiss cantons, or of any compromise having taken place as to their internal concerns, it will be proper that, in that case, you should take up your residence in such a situation as you may think most convenient in the neighbourhood of Switzerland, of which you will give me the earliest intelligence, and there wait for his majesty's further orders.

Schwitz, to the French arms, I lose no time in dispatching the messenger Shaw with this intelligence; from which your lordship will perceive that it only remains for me to obey that part of my instructions by which I am directed, under such cir cumstances, to take up my residence in the neighbourhood of Switzerland, and there to await his majesty's fur ther orders.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Fra. Moore. The Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c. &c.