STATE PAPERS. 
nation have willed, that the repre- 
sentative of a small but free ‘and 
sovereign republic, should receive 
from them the proof of good-will 
and fraternity. 
In seeing thus among free states 
‘the strong countenance the weak, 
and being pleased with alliances in 
which the latter have all the advan- 
tage, we truly feel that liberty is 
the most valuable of all ties; that 
amidst so many nations, strangers 
to each other, the free nalions are 
fellow-citizens, and the sentiment 
of their reciprocal sovereignty esta- 
blishes between them a tender tie 
of equality. 
Citizens, the republic of Geneva 
felicitates itself on preceding the 
other states in testimonies of attach- 
ment and confidence for the French 
republic; and if, under these cir- 
cumstances, they honoured me with 
their choice, it is because they 
Knew that, to be the faithful inter- 
preter of their thoughts and wishes, 
it was only necessary for me tc ex- 
press my own sentiments. 
Letter from the King of Sardinia to 
_ the Thirteen Cantons, and the Al- 
lies of the Helvetic Body. 
Victor Amadeus, by the Grace of 
God, King of Sardinia, Cyprus, 
' and Jerusalem, &c. 
Most dear and great Friends, 
Allies, and Confederates, 
WOU must doubtless have been 
4 informed, and learnt with as- 
_tonishment, the invasion of Savoy by 
the French, who entered it on the 
side towards Mont Melian, with a 
diag ior force of more than 20,000 
aah 
319 
men; without any previous decla- 
ration of war, and without having 
been provoked by any measure or 
act of hostility whatever on our part. 
We cannot forbear communicating 
this to you, as an event which must 
excite the surprize and indignation 
of all the powers of Europe, and in- 
terest in a particular manner the 
Helvetic body, with whom we and 
our royal predecessors have always 
sincerely desired to live as good 
neighboursand ancient allies, friends, 
and confederates. 
Considering then the fatal effects 
and dismal consequences which such 
an unheard-of proceeding as that of 
the French towards us and our states 
is likely to occasion to all neigh- 
bouring countries, we are persuaded, 
that taking a part in the disagree- 
able circumstances into which we 
are thrown by it, you will not omit, 
at the same time, to pay the great- 
est and most serious attention to 
every thing that may result from it. 
We even hope, that weighing in 
your wisdom the means most proper 
and efficacious to hinder and pre- 
vent the progress of an evil which 
threatens to ruin all states, by over- 
turning all governments, you will 
maturely consider, whether, among 
these means, that of concerting with 
us measures tending to that end, 
and that in particular of assisting us 
to deliver Savoy from the yoke of 
the French, may not be the most 
proper. You will know, yourselves, 
the influence which the example 
of what has just passed in Savoy 
may have in neighbouring countries, 
and the dangers which may thence 
result to them, without our endea- 
vouring to represent them to you. 
We shall here consequently confine 
ourselves to request, that, site spit 
vo) 
