STA T.E? PAP ERS. 
warned in time of every species of 
danger, to circulate the alarm, and 
‘to be in a condition even to repel 
‘and punish aggression when the 
‘danger should have made its ap- 
pearance. Finally, it is the ex- 
perience and the success of those 
dispositions, during four years of 
a@ war the most bloody of which 
modern history has preserved the 
remembrance. 
We proceed to the accusations, 
which the executive directory have 
made against certain magistrates and 
private persons of our canton and of 
the other states of the Helvetic 
body. So vague an accusation, 
and of such a kind, is probably 
without example. ‘The moral per- 
son of the sovereign in republics 
is manifested only by resolutions 
emanating from the council of the 
state, and not from the particular 
opinions of individuals ; and what- 
ever be the difference of opinion 
amongst the latter, there is a first 
opinion, which is as general as it 
js essential and fundamental; itis the 
‘love of our country, and the deep 
and universal conviction, that neu- 
trality is the basis of our political 
existence: It unites all minds, all 
counsels, all governments. We 
invite the executive directory to 
consider here only the assembly. We 
are to be gained by proceedings of 
‘justice, benevolence, and friend- 
ship ; our hearts are* to be alienat- 
ed by indefinite reproaches and 
random suspicions. What if these 
suspicions should perhaps be found- 
ed only on documents, dictated by 
men, whose reprehensible views 
either of vengeance or malevo- 
lence, of ambition or cupidity, 
should have led them to exaggerate 
what is insignificant, to blacken 
what is bnnocent ; and to disguise 
what our political aétions in their 
[203 
true point of view would disclose ? 
Finally, the executive diredory 
render us responsible for the fata} 
efleéts which may result from mi- 
litary operations. Governments, 
we know, are responsible for the 
faults which they commit with 
the intention of violating their 
duties. But tranquillized by our 
principles, and proud of the sense 
of the purity and equity of our 
measures, we accept this responsi- 
bility. We are one for all in the 
bosom of our councils, and it is in 
the same sense that we rely not 
only upon all our own resources, 
but upon all the members of the 
Helvetic confederation. ‘Respon. 
sibility can only alarm those who 
breaking the ties which have unit. 
ed for several ages the tWo na- 
tions, should prepare evils of which 
human prudence cannot calculate 
the issue to their authors. 
Very different sentiments have 
animated your excellency during 
the course of your pzinful mission. 
The executive directory have tes- 
tified in the renewal of your cre- 
dentials their just and honourable 
satisfaction. We have no doubt 
that they will receive with favour- 
able dispositions the answer which 
we have the honour to address to 
your excellency, after baving deli« 
berated in concert with the Hel- 
vetic representatives. 
We pray God to take you into 
his holy and powerful keeping. 
(Signed) ‘The burgomasters and 
council of the city 
and canton of Basle. 
Basle, April 9, 1796. 
‘Letter of M. Barthelemy, Ambassa- 
dor from the French Republic, to 
the Canton of Basle, 20th Eloreul, 
(May 9), 1796, Fourth Year of 
the French Republic. 
Magnificent 
