306 LIFE OF HORACE BENEDICT DE SAUSSURE 



potent. On the other hand, the Assembly could assert its privi- 

 lege of rejecting all or any of the candidates for the post of Syndic 

 or other office nominated by the two Councils. It did so on more 

 than one occasion, and with effect. By the use of this weapon 

 the whole administration could be brought to a standstill. The 

 power in some measure took the place held in our own consti- 

 tution by the financial control of the Lower House. 



The result of the appeal to the Mediating Powers was the 

 presentation by them to the Genevese of a projected constitution, 

 known as The Pronouncement, which conformed in almost every 

 respect to the views of the aristocracy. No efforts were spared to 

 ensure its acceptance, yet it was rejected (1st December 1766) by a 

 majority of two to one in the General Assembly. 



The French Agent on the spot France kept a Resident in 

 permanence at Geneva stormed, but the Swiss cantons, and 

 Zurich in particular, were half-hearted, and the Protecting Powers 

 hesitated to enforce their edict. Meantime, the rest of Europe 

 woke up to what was going on. England, mindful of its many 

 links with the citizens of Geneva, expressed an interest in the 

 liberties of a small Protestant State. Some of the wiser heads 

 among the aristocrats realised the perils of the situation, which 

 were urged on them by a large body of citizens in an eloquent 

 Remonstrance (16th October 1767). It was clear that the ' Pro- 

 nouncement,' put forth by the Mediators, was unacceptable. 

 At last the Councils gave way so far as to accept a working com- 

 promise, and the Representants smoothed their path by various 

 concessions. The following were the principal changes made in 

 the constitution by the so-called Edict of Pacification (llth March 

 1768). It was agreed that the Assembly's right of rejecting 

 candidates for the chief offices should be limited to a single ballot, 

 but that in return it should elect every five years half the new 

 members necessary to fill vacancies in the Great Council and four 

 members of the Senate. It was further enacted that a code 

 should be drawn up and printed, including all existing edicts and 

 ordinances. A truce having been concluded on these terms, the 

 Assembly ordered a Day of Prayer and Humiliation. The citizens 

 abounded in virtuous resolves. ' Our prayers,' they proclaimed, 

 ' are at last granted ; firmly determined to keep our promises, 

 let us go into the temple of the Most High to offer Him the 



