STATE PAPERS. 



451 



claratlon will prove to you with 

 what views they have adopted this 

 resolution ; ho«v just are the mo- 

 tives of their conduct ; how pure 

 and correct their intentions. 



" I suppose, with perfect con- 

 fidence, that our entrance into 

 Switzerland, will diffuse the most 

 cordial joy among those who know 

 howtoappreciate,and take to heart, 

 the true interests of their country; 

 all the friends of the ancient inde- 

 pendence, of the glory and wel- 

 fare, in short, of the old federative 

 constitution of Switzerland, which 

 the whole world honoured and re- 

 spected. I think myself entitled 

 to expect the most friendly dispo- 

 sition, and every kind of aid and 

 support, from this very numerous 

 class of true and judicious patriots; 

 who themselves feel how much 

 the great object of the present 

 war, namely the re-establish- 

 ment of a just and wise political 

 system for all Europe, is essen- 

 tially connected with the future 

 destinies of Switzerland, and its 

 great national interests. I fear no 

 formal opposition, but from those 

 who are so blind, or so degene- 

 rated from their ancestors, as to 

 prefer the maintenance of French 

 domination to the welfare of their 

 fellow citizens. I expect dissatis- 

 faction or indifference, only from 

 those, who, with upright inten- 

 tions, regard the entrance of a fo- 

 reign army into their country, as 

 the greatest of calamities. The 

 former, however, I trust, will find 

 few pariizans at a moment when 

 sentiments truly national must re- 

 sume the ascendancy by their own 

 force, and when no foreign do- 

 mination or oppression shall re- 

 strain the free suffrages of the Hel- 

 vetic people. The latter, on the 



other hand, ought to feel that mo- 

 mentary sacrifices are well com- 

 pensated, when they purchase the 

 greatest national blessings, liberty 

 and future happiness; and that 

 none but men of weak understand- 

 ings, or blinded by selfishness, can 

 be disposed to purchase the pro- 

 longation of an uncertain tranquil- 

 lity, by a real decline, and by the 

 permanent degradation of their 

 country. 



"Everything that is possible shall 

 be scrupulously done,to lighten the 

 burthen inseparable from an army 

 so numerous, whether by main- 

 taining the mosst exact order and 

 discipline, or by giving just indem- 

 nifications for all expenses relative 

 to the support of the troops, or the 

 means of transport. We enter 

 among you as the friends of your 

 country, of your name, of your 

 rights; confident of your good-will 

 and co-operation, we will act as 

 such under all circumstances ; we 

 trust, also, to evacuate your coun- 

 try as friends, carrying along with 

 us your gratitude and benedictions, 

 when we shall have attained the 

 great object at which we aim; 

 and secured the peace of the world 

 at the same time with your liberty 

 and happiness. 

 ( Signed ) " Field-marshal Prince 



«' ScHWAaXZENBERG. 



" General-in-chief of the Grand 



" Allied Army." 

 " Head-quarters, at Lorrach, 

 "Dec. 21, 1813." 



Paris, Dec. 27. — Imperial Decree. 



Palace of the Tkuilleriet,Dec.26, 



1813. 



Napoleon, Emperor of the 

 French, King of Italy, Protector 

 of the Confederation of the Rhine, 



2G2 



