902] 
intention of the directory was sole- 
ly to transmit to us, through the 
medium of the minister for foreign 
affairs, the result of their delibera- 
tions. But if the form surprised 
us, the contents of the paper ex- 
cited our surprise in a much great- 
er degree ; of this our reply will 
convince your excellency. 
The executive directory an- 
nounce to us, that the corps of emi- 
grants meditates an invasion of our 
territory. It does not belong to 
us to call in question the proofs 
which the directory say they have 
received ; we shall confine our- 
selves to observe, that at the open- 
ing of each campaign mention has 
always been made of a project of 
this kind, and that nevertheless it 
has never been carried into execu- 
tion ; so that we are still to know, 
whether the reports that are spread 
are merely a trick of war, or whe- 
ther such a design has been re- 
nounced cither from the uncer- 
tainty of decisive success, or the 
want of accordance with other 
events that were to concur with it ; 
or finally whether, and much more 
probably, it be because the em- 
peror, faithful to his engagement 
to respect our neutrality, has for- 
bidden the peace of an indepen- 
dent people to be disturbed, who 
for several ages, contented with 
their limits, have taken no part 
in the dissensions of the great 
powers of Europe. In short, we 
can assure you that at present the 
danger, if danger does exist, does 
aot appear to be imminent. ‘The 
corps of emigrants is at too great 
a distance from our frontiers; it does 
not form a sufficient force to dare 
to attempt an invasion, and we do 
not perceive yet preparations which 
are the forerunners of hostilities, 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796. 
and indispensable to the execution 
of hostilites, 
Thesecond point of the note of 
the executive directory concerns 
the defence of our territory and 
the demand of a sufficient gua- 
rantee. No people can givesuch a 
guarantee. If belligerent powers, 
with their fortresses, their arms, 
their efforts in every sensc,. can- 
not procure the guarantee, that 
their territory shall not be vio- 
lated, much less can a_ neutral 
state procure and assemble forces, 
whose mass would perhaps afford 
more umbrage than it would in- 
spire security. Besides the ex- 
pence of such a force, and the 
provisions that it would require, 
are above our means, which 
the circumstances of the times 
weaken more and more. But there 
is another kind of guarantee, which 
we deem more sure than a great 
assemblage of troops ; it is the 
firm resolution of all the govern. - 
ments of Switzerland, not to de_ 
part from the principles of neu. 
trality which they have inherited 
from their ancestors, and of which 
all our neighbours havea positive 
conviction ; it is the sacred word 
which the members of the Helve- 
tic body, either separately or uni- 
ted, in solemn diet, have given. 
It is the local difficulties that would 
attend a passage through our terri- 
ritory, without being exposed to — 
a certain loss from the measures 
of prudence, which the attacked 
canton might take, and without 
renouncing every hope of retreat, 
by thearrival of contingents from 
our confederates as zealous te 
avenge the outrages offered to 
neutrality, as religious in the ob- 
servance of the duties of neutrality. 
It is the dispositions taken to be 
warned 
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