3973 FRO^I THE MIDDLE OF THE I9TH CENTURY 99 



of the populations, and that the governments of the Em- 

 peror of the French and of the King of Sardinia will con- 

 cert as soon as possible upon the best means of appreciating 

 and verifying the manifestations of those wishes."^ 



In his proclamation " to the inhabitants of Savoy and 

 Nice," Victor Emmanuel assured them that while by treaty, 

 concluded on March 24, it had been decided that the union 

 of Savoy and Nice with France should take place with the 

 adherence of the people, — nevertheless " so great a change 

 in the fate [jor^] of these provinces should not be imposed 

 on you. It must be the result of your free consent. That 

 is my firm will, that is also the intention of the Emperor 

 of the French. And so that nothing could hinder the free 

 manifestation of your wishes, I recall those of your prin- 

 cipal administrative functionaries who do not belong to 

 your lands and I replace them momentarily by several 

 of your own citizens who enjoy general esteem and 

 consideration."* 



French troops sent by Napoleon and two Senators, Laity 

 and Pietri, began their propaganda among a populace which, 

 at least in Chablais and Faucigny [Savoy], favored annexa- 

 tion to Switzerland.** But "the zeal for secession sank in 

 proportion to the efforts of the French propaganda."^" Ac- 

 cording to King, "the majority of the Savoyards indeed 

 were probably more than half disposed to separation, or 

 cared little which way their fate went, though the northern 

 portion of the province would have preferred to be joined 

 to Switzerland," while "at Nice the feeling was strong 

 against separation, and the people made pathetic efforts to 

 escape the destiny imposed upon them."" 



The election returns of the plebiscites held in April 

 showed in Nice 24,637 votes cast of a list of 29,142 elec- 

 tors. Of these, 24,448 voted for and 160 against annexa- 



' Hertslet, vol. ii, p. 1430. 



" Quoted by Freiidentlial, p. 8. 



" i'Veiuleiitlial, p. 8. 



10 Ibid. 



1* King, vol. ii, p. 122. 



