382 
ciation with them upon this sub- 
ject. 
“ The allied Monarchs impose 
upon themselves the greatest sa- 
crifices ; nevertheless, they require 
from Switzerland, only those from 
which it cannot possibly withdraw 
itself in a crisis in which its dear- 
est interests are at stake; and to 
alleviate the burden of putting on 
‘foot the forces necessary for the 
vigorous defence of their frontiers, 
as well as to insure its success, 
they propose to keep at the dis- 
posal of Switzerland all the as- 
‘sistance which the general opera- 
tions of the war shall permit them 
to dedicate to this object. 
“The Monarchs desire in this 
manner among this nation (the 
object of their particular regard 
and esteem) those sentiments of 
attachment, confidence, and gra- 
titude to which they believe them- 
selves sojustly entitled, sentiments 
which they would have at heart 
still to increase and strengthen at 
the time of a general peace, by 
paying particular attention to the 
interests and the safety of Swit- 
zerland. 
“« The undersiened renew to 
his Excellency the President, and 
to .Messrs. the Deputies to the 
Diet, the assurance of their dis- 
tinguished consideration. 
“ STRATFORD CANNING, 
“‘ KRUDENER, 
“ ScHRAUT, 
** CHAMBRIE.” 
“ Zurich, May 6, 1815.” 
ANSWER OF THE DIET. 
“« At the moment when a new 
pohtical convulsion shewed itself 
in. France, Switzerland, struck 
with the dangers of its situation, 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
took with vigour and celerity the 
measures of safety which the im- 
portance of the circumstances ree 
quired. The Diet has made known 
by a proclamation, the object of 
these armaments; ithas avoided 
all connection with the man who 
has taken the reins of the French 
government, and has refused to 
recognise him. 
“The Ministers of the Allied 
Powers justly infer from this con- 
duct, that Switzerland, united in 
interest and intentions with the 
other States, must oppose with 
all its might a power which threat- 
ens the peace, the tranquillity, the 
independence, and the rights of 
all nations. Such are, in fact, 
the resolutions of the Diet. 
“* The relations which it main- 
tains with the high allied powers, 
and even with them alone, leave 
no doubt respecting its disposition 
or its designs; it will abide by 
them with that constancy and 
fidelity which have been at all 
times honourable features in the 
Swiss character. 
“ Twenty-two little republics, 
united among themselves for their 
security and the assertion of their 
independence, must seek their 
national strength in the principle 
of their confederation. This is 
what is prescribed by the nature 
of things, by the geographical 
situation, the constitution and 
the character of the Swiss peo- 
ple. =, 
“A consequence of this prin- 
ciple is its neutrality recognised 
in its favour, as the basis of its 
future relations with -all states. 
It equally results from this prin- 
ciple, that in the great contest 
which is en the eve of commenc- 
ing, the part of Switzerland must 
