400] 
bour would be guilty of a violation 
of neutrality, and the rather, as 
they had given their word of ho- 
hour not to make reprisals for 24 
hours after their departure; and 
éven then not within cannon shot 
of the garrison. 
For these reasons I could not in. 
terdict the departure of the sloop 
alluded to from this harbour. 
As soon as | received the ac« 
counts of ‘the violence committed 
on the French tartan, I gave di- 
rections for my batteries to pre- 
vent the accomplishment of the 
attempt began on the said tartan, 
.and at the same time to maintain 
our neutrality. 
If the effect of these directions 
has not answered my expectation, 
the miscarriage is not to be ascrib- 
ed to any neglect of mine. 
1 have the honour to be, 
With the most sincere esteem, 
sit, 
Your obedient humble servant, 
Bepian1, Lieutenant-colonel. 
Fort Lauterne, 12th Sept. 1796. 
Letter from his Excellency M. Bar- 
thelemy, Ambassador of the French 
epublic, to the Burgomasters, 
Chief Megistrates, Landantman, 
and Council of the Twelve Sziss 
Cantons. 
Magnificent lords, 
THE- executive directory having 
thought proper to renew the cre- 
,dentials of several of the envoys 
of the French republic to foreign 
powers, has just transmitted to me 
those by which it has been pleased 
to accredit ‘me ‘to the very respec- 
table Helvetic body, in quality of 
‘ambassador of the French republic. 
T’enclose them in this. 
I ‘flatter ‘myself, ‘magnificent 
Tords,thattheknowledge'you already 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1796. 
have of my sentiments for all the 
members of the illustrions Helve. 
tic confederation, will leave you 
no doubt of my zeal to cultivate 
the confidence of which you have 
already given me such satisfactory 
proofs ; and | also hope, magnifi- 
cent lords, that you will be per- 
suaded beforehand, that, as the | 
faithful interpreter of the constant- 
ly amicable dispositions of the 
French government to your coun. 
try, I shall not cease to exert my- 
self zealously in concurring to the 
success of its views, in whatever 
may be the best calculated to streng- 
then the indissoluble ties which 
constitute the happiness of the two 
nations, and to secure the tran- 
quillity and prosperity of the Hel- 
vetic body. 
i pray God, &c.: 
(Signed) BarTHELEMY. 
Basle, March 2, 1796. 
Letter of the Executive Directory 
tothe Highly Respectable Helve- 
tic Body. 
Very dear, great a allies, 
and confederates, 
THE wish we entertain to keep 
up and cultivate a friendship and 
good understanding with you, in-" 
duces us to appoint citizen Bar- 
thelemy to reside in Switzerland in 
quality of ambassador of the 
French republic. 
The knowledge we have of the 
principles and sentiments of citi- 
zen Barthelemy, authorises us to 
think that ‘the choice we have 
made of bim to fill this important 
post, cannot but be agreeable to 
yeu. It is with this persuasion 
that we pray you, very dear great 
friends, allies, and confederates, 
to grant him a full confidence in» 
whatever he may be charged to say 
to you from us, and more particu- 
iarly 
