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 bis astonist meat was completed when he found that the latter had taken so devided and so unfavourable a part in the business as that which is announced by a reseration published in yesterday's Monitor. (which I have the Roor to tra clowd., is the form of an ai to the inhabitants of This proua taring, DeMat & Th lic declarator in t vate information of is int cells intentio

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 be 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 atorded no prospect of his obtaining of their ministers at Paris to adopt a concarted measure in favour of the ob ject with be mid so much at heart, and that of course I could not take it invidia y upon mjesf, without any express, iretruction from my covenient He returned to me, today, to any láint me that he was not uy a jet whost a reply from ang quarter. but bad prawn to fear tat de prazers word tot te intend to by the Autran. Kutter, and Priman pissen: ke tredne wa jured me to trukomet to, a to tai mu

and was ocarmies, the l never be The petty revoce in the goere tricks of which the nation as a very trifling inand Switzerland endent when she staring to her anreadered still dearaate misfortunes, sets of the governog for with the means Almost the whole of with unexampled unamoderation, shook off The cantons formed themstituent bodies, and the thirteen cantons of ang sent their representapus, ap she dies of Schwitz, in order e de organise a central power 10 vest be acceptable to the mouc show snc powers.

M

The anisocratical cantons reyounood thou exclusive rights; the de Vand was left at liberty its own constitution, as well Aburgovia and the other new can

The government having taken re ige at Lausanne, was by no means ecure 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 without hope of resistance, exhausted we are by the Colossus who is about to overwhelm us, or to debase ourselves in the eyes of the whole universe!

as

Will the government of this generous 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.

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 published 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 de| monstrated 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 degree as every other independent state, the right of regulating their own internal concerns; and this right has moreover, in the present instance, been formally and explicitly 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