194 
stances you will think it proper to 
see me, since M. Maret has had the 
honour to state to you that I was 
charged by the government of 
France with instructions tending to 
prevent the misfortunes of war. He 
has added to his instructions, and 
has recommended to me to obtain 
with you, Sir, a second interview. 
I have hesitated till this moment to 
acquaint youof it, because I wished 
to receive orders which would have 
more specially authorised me; but 
the time is passing, and is lost for 
the two countries, leaving them, in 
regard to cach other, in a position 
dubious, painful, afd unworthy of 
both ; and I am certain that I can- 
not more exactly follow the spirit 
of the instructions 1 have received, 
than in taking every step to prove 
that of which the French nation 
wishes to convinceall Europe—that 
she detests the idea of a war with 
England ;—that she will enter on it 
with the utmost reluctance, andon- 
ly after having exhausted every re- 
maining honourable means to a- 
void it. I shall expect your answer, 
Sir, and shall wait on you at any 
time you shall be pleased to appoint. 
Be pleased, in the mean time, to 
receive assurances of the dis- 
tinguished consideration and high 
esteem with which I have the 
honour to be, &c. s 
(Signed) F. CHAUVELIN. * 
Letter from the British Minister to 
the Republic of Geneva. 
Berne, Oct. 11th, 1792. 
Magnificent and most honoured 
Lords, Syndics, and Council 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1792. 
of the Town and Republic of 
Geneva, 
N my arrival here Plearnt with 
infinite pain the situation in 
which your city and all Switzerland 
have been since the theatre of war 
approached your frontiers. 
I am commissioned by the King, 
my master, to give to the Helvetic 
and Evangelic Bodies, proofs of the 
sincere .interest which his Majesty 
will never cease to take in all the 
states that compose them; and 
though in this respect the general 
credentials which [ have might, as 
formerly, be sufficient for your 
state, as an ally of the Helvetic bo- 
dy, his Majesty, nevertheless, ad- 
dresses to you in particular those 
which I take the earliest opportu- 
nity of transmitting to you. 
This new mark of attention and 
friendship in his Majesty, must an- 
nounce to you, beyond a doubt, 
that his Britannic majesty, after 
the example of his glorious prede- 
cessors, will always shew himself a 
zealous friendof your Republic, and 
he has at heart the maintaining that 
of its peace, liberty, and sovereignty, 
so intimately connected with the 
tranquillity of all Switzerland, and 
particularly of the Canton of Berne, 
on the security of which the 
British crown has constantly placed 
the greatest value. 
I am going to communicate to 
his Britannic Majesty the present 
state of things in Switzerland, as 
well as those which concern you ; 
and I make no doubt that his Ma-~ 
jesty will approve the measures 
you have taken, according to your 
ancient customs and your treaties, 
*ft is contained in the pamphlct alrcady mentioned, published by order of the 
National Assembly, 
in 
oe 
